If there’s one thing movie buffs miss during the circuit breaker, it’s watching a flick on the big screen. Well, get ready for your favourite overpriced theatre grub and freezing halls as the cinemas are back in action! After a three-month hiatus, Golden Village, Cathay Cineplexes, Shaw Theatres and even alternative cinemas like The Projector will welcome patrons once again – not without strict safety measures in place, of course. Are the movies worth getting out of the house for? Read on for release dates, trailers and more.
But first, keep in mind these guidelines
To avoid the risk of transmission, all cinemas will conduct temperature screenings, check in and out procedures using SafeEntry, and regular cleaning and disinfecting of high touch point areas and between movies. They’ll also include alternate seating options and safe distancing queue markers. A maximum capacity of 50 people is allowed in each cinema hall with a one-metre distancing requirement. Family and friends of up to five people may sit together without the one-metre rule. And of course, you gotta wear a mask at all times, including inside the cinema hall.
Upcoming movies to watch this month
Train To Busan: Peninsula (15 July)
Genre: Horror/Zombie
The highly-anticipated film takes us four years after the tragic events in Korea. A former Marine and one of the survivors from the zombie apocalypse, Jeong-seok (Gang Dong-won), now lives in exile in Hong Kong. He’s given a mission to retrieve bags of cash in the ruined city. During his trip (we have no idea what made him say yes), he meets multiple survivors amongst hordes of zombies. Will they return safely? Or will we witness tear-jerker moments like in the first film? Countdown to 15 July begins!
The Rental (23 July)
Genre: Horror/Suspense
The directorial debut of Dave Franco (yes, he’s James Franco’s little brother) is a creepy thriller about a couple (Alison Brie and Dan Stevens) who begin to suspect that the owner of their rental house is spying on them. Its trailer seems like any run-of-the-mill suspense flick but here’s hoping we get some solid nail-biting moments.
Intruder (23 July)
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Recently widowed Seo-jin (Song Ji-hyo) is shocked to find out that his long-lost sister (Kim Moo-yul) returns after 25 years. His family welcomes her with open arms but it’s not the case for Seo-jin. Strange events occur and when Seo-jin trails her for answers, he discovers a harrowing truth.
Inception: 10th Anniversary special (30 July)
Genre: Sci-Fi
Can you believe it’s been 10 years since this gem was released? Who else had to watch it a second time to grasp this complex film? Guilty as charged over here. If you’ve run out of movies to watch, revisit the Christoper Nolan classic starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon Levitt (remember that iconic hallway scene?) and get your mind blown once again. Golden Village is screening Inception in conjunction with Nolan’s latest film, Tenet, which will be released next month.
You can also catch other fan favourites
From 13 July, Paramount and Universal Pictures will be re-releasing pre-corona blockbusters and highly-rated films like Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Pitch Perfect 3, 1917, The Invisible Man, Sonic The Hedgehog, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Jason Bourne and Johnny English Strikes Again for your viewing pleasure.
More upcoming movies in 2020
Disney’s Mulan (20 August)
Genre: Family/Action/Adventure
In recent years, we’ve seen our favourite Disney princesses getting the live-action treatment (Belle! Cinderella! Jasmine!). This month, it’s time to get down to business and defeat the Huns as Chinese war hero Mulan will be gracing the silver screen. But judging from the trailer, this tale will unfold a little differently from the animated version. We won’t be getting General Li Shang, singing soldiers or the talking red dragon (aka Mushu). Instead, look out for a new character: A shapeshifting witch that is in cahoots with Han leader Bori Khan. Let’s hope this film will bring honour to us all.
A Quiet Place (3 September)
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Putting a spotlight on sensory deprivation horror flicks, A Quiet Place is back with its chillingly silent sequel. Following the *spoiler alert* death of John Krasinski’s character, the Abbott family tries to find a safe spot without crossing paths with the blind spider-like monsters that have hypersensitive hearing. The plot twist? It doesn’t really help that Emily Blunt has a crying toddler in tow. If it’s anything like the first film, you’ll be on the edge of your seat; or, perhaps you’ll quieten down as you see the plot unfold.
Movies showing in Singapore this March 2020
Emma (5 March)
Just when you think you’ve seen enough dramatisations of novelist Jane Austen’s Emma, Autumn de Wilde makes her directorial debut with Anya Taylor-Joy playing the titular character. For those who aren’t familiar with the story, it’s the author’s light-hearted take on social class with the wealthy protagonist, Emma Woodhouse, navigating through a whirlwind of mismatched romances in the 19th century. You’re in for a delightful time if you have a penchant for period films.
Disney/Pixar’s Onward (3 March)
Known for blockbuster hits like Finding Nemo, Toy Story and The Incredibles, Pixar’s latest animated adventure looks to be a treat. Voiced by Hollywood heavyweights like Tom Holland, Octavia Spencer and Chris Pratt, the premise is deliciously fun. It’s about two elf brothers who live in a fantasy world where magic once existed. One day, they receive a wizard’s staff as a gift from their late father, but here’s the catch. The enchanted item comes with a spell that will bring their dad back for 24 hours, but the pair end up conjuring only his legs. In a time crunch, the brothers embark on a journey to bring the rest of their father back. Sounds like it’s gonna tug at our heartstrings.
Gretel & Hansel (5 March)
This horror flick retells the classic German lore by the Grimm Brothers with a few tweaks. In this adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, the 16-year-old sister is much older than her brother, and she also happens to be the main protagonist (hence the rearrangement of the movie title), while the eight-year-old Hansel takes a back seat. Don’t expect to see a trail of breadcrumbs that will lead to the gingerbread house either. In the vein of Midsommar, the plot is much darker and less fairytale-like as you also see a glimpse of the infamous cannibalistic wicked witch’s past. You’re in for an unnerving time.
I Still Believe (12 March)
Get your tissues ready ‘cause this one looks like a real tearjerker. Based on the real-life story of award-winning musician Jeremy Camp, the movie follows his first marriage to Melissa Lynn Henning-Camp who lost her battle to ovarian cancer in 2001. A tale of love and loss, it shows how young Camp finds the light at the end of the tunnel. To make things even more heartbreaking, Camp is played by dreamboat KJ Apa of Riverdale fame.
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